Bergen living costs 2017/2018

Today’s post is an update of a past post on cost of living. It strives to give you an idea of what you might expect to spend on daily expenses in Bergen/Norway. Keep in mind, these are just rough ideas of different common costs, you may have to think through other expenses – such as if you’re bringing clothes, bedding, and other household items or if you’ll have to buy them here.

Sadly, Norway is not a cheap place to live. Image: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/21/map-expensive-countries_n_6510018.html

The University of Bergen (UiB) offers a page that details the cost of living, that helps give an idea of expenses. While Norway does have a high cost of living, the UiB page estimates NOK 10 400 per month (2016) would cover most expenses including books, study materials, food, housing, clothing, transport and social activities on a student budget.

The UiB page also offers examples of Norwegian prices, to which I’ve made a few additions:

Monthly Expenses

Monthly rent at Fantoft for a single student room: between NOK 2715-3175 (and some options as low as NOK 2045-2835) for an individual (including electricity and internet)/month. Prices may range lower or higher for SiB student housing depending on the unit. (Prices may increase each August)

Dinner at an inexpensive restaurant: UiB estimated NOK 120-160 in 2016 (Keep in mind, it costs extra to eat at the restaurant rather than take food to go). I personally think those prices are more descriptive of fast take-out food, and dinner in a restaurant, even an inexpensive one, is more likely to be NOK 170, give or take. A fast food-type restaurant, however might have options for as low as NOK 70-100 (I recommend Tre Kroner (pictured below), Nirvana Kebab and Hav (for fishcakes) in the Sentrum.

Trekroneren (The 3 kroner… or crowns), the most famous hot dog joint in Bergen. Sorry, it will not cost you 3 kroners. Image: http://www.travelramblr.com/norway/eating-in-bergen.html

Ingredients for making an inexpensive dinner for one person at home: approx. NOK 30–60 (UiB 2010/2011 estimate).

Some possible expenses that the UiB page didn’t address include:

Wine and Beer at a bar (remember, with restaurants and bars, tips are not large and generally not expected): average around NOK 70-120 per drink (sometimes there are cheap options ranging from NOK 35-60)

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8 comments for “Bergen living costs 2017/2018”

Saifun Nahar Chowdhury

22. April 2017 at 08:02

Hi There,

This page contains valuable information for living expenses, Thank you for upgrading the latest information. However, I would like to ask about financial matter. I have been admitted to University of Bergen and for visa purpose I have to transfer my fund to SIB deposit account. I want to know, if for some reason my visa is rejected will I be refunded the transferred amount?

Please upload any link regarding this issue or any information that will be helpful for students.

Hi there,
You have a very understandable concern. I’m a student so I don’t know the details of this particular issue. But my basic understanding is: this is your money, when you arrive in Norway you get a personal bank account and transfer it there. So, if you were unable to come for some reason, you should of course get it back. It isn’t exactly a refund because this money is not a deposit to the university, but rather just your money in an SiB account (put there so the immigration agency (UDI) can verify that you have it). I would recommend checking out the SiB page about the account for visa purposes and emailing them directly at sib.okonomi@sib.no to get confirmation on this and to find out exactly the details of how the transfer back to your home bank account would work. Hope that helps!

Hi there,
Thank you so much for your valuable information’s regarding living and other costs. I am planning to apply for UIB. I have a question. Is there any opportunity for students to work? Will it cover my living expenses? (I am asking this question because I am an International student and it is difficult for me to manage my daily expenses from my parents)
It would be a great help if you kindly inform me about this matter.

Hello , this post is valuable . Thank you for the updated information . However , I would like to ask about some matters . Is there any chance of getting a part time job in Bergen so that I can arrange these expenses ??? And do you have any idea , after reaching Bergen how much time it may take to arrange a part time job ?? I will be grateful if you let me know .
Thanks in advance .